UNPA a viable alternative, road map at next meeting: Jaya

Chennai, June 18 (UNI) Asserting that it would be a viable alternative to the Congress and the BJP at the national level, the newly-formed United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), which came into being today said it would draw its road map at its next meeting in New Delhi.

The leader of the UNPA would be chosen after more parties join the front, AIADMK Supremo J Jayalalithaa, one of the architects of UNPA, an eight-party combine of non-Congress and non-BJP forces, told reporters after a two-hour conclave at her Poes Garden Residence here.

''Our aim is to build a viable alternative to the Congress and BJP, to build a strong nation and make India a global super power'', she added.

''We are a separate entity containing non-Congress and non-BJP parties. More parties are willing to join us and there is a possibility of a political realignment before the next Lok Sabha elections,'' Ms Jayalalithaa said.

Denying that she was elected as the leader of the UNPA, she said, ''we are expecting some more parties to join us. We have not yet decided on the leader. It will be decided after more parties join us'', she added.

Flanked by TDP Supremo N Chandrababu Naidu and Samajwadi President Mulayam Singh and leaders of other parties in the front, Ms Jayalalithaa foresaw realignment of political parties at the national level at the time of next general elections.

''It is premature to comment on it as UNPA was neither pro-congress nor pro-BJP. The UNPA is a separate entity. We hope that more political parties would join the UNPA, which will result in political realignment before the next Lok Sabha polls', she added.

On the criticism that how UNPA, being a group of regional parties, could influence national policies, She said the situation now was that the nation's destiny was being shaped by regional parties.

TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu, said the front had not been formed for political reasons alone but also for nation building.

The objective of the UNPA was to serve the interest of the common man.

''We are not here for share in political power. This front is for nation's welfare and nation building'', Mr Naidu said.

The UPA government was talking about achieving nine, 10 and 11 per cent growth rate. But the benefits have not reached the common man, a fact admitted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself, Mr Naidu said.

''The Reforms have stabilised but the benefits of the reforms have not reached the common man. Our Front will cater to the interests of the Common man,'' he added.

Asked whether the UNPA had worked out its policies, Mr Naidu said, ''all these issues would be decided later. We will meet again in New Delhi after the Presidential elections.'' UNI